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North Parkers to Explore Art and History in Florence
CHICAGO, IL (August 19, 2005) - Sixteen North Park University students will be
immersed in the history and culture of Italy when they participate in a
multi-disciplinary course in Florence, Italy, this fall.
Students will engage in intensive study of Italian for the first half of
the day, then engage in other studies in the afternoon, says Neale
Murray. Murray recently retired from his full-time post as professor of
art at NPU but will teach drawing the first several weeks of the
semester in Florence. Students also will study art history and music,
Murray says.
Regardless of their academic disciplines, students will participate in
all the courses, Murray says. Tom Zelle, associate professor of music,
will teach the second half of the semester.
Murray says he is excited at the opportunity to teach in one of the
world's cultural centers. "The students are going to go to the Duomo and
draw it," he says. Construction of the Duoma or Cathedral of Florence
spanned 600 years beginning in the 13th Century. It is the fourth
largest cathedral in the world. (Accompanying photos show the exterior
and interior of the Duomo.)
The breathtaking cathedral will provide a lot of space in which the
artistic imagination can take flight, Murray says. "The only way you can
understand it is to walk inside of it, and stand underneath that dome.
It's a truly immense structure. You realize you are looking up 22
stories. They don't get that until they are actually there."
"The benefit is the experience of the actual work which can not be
replicated in the classroom," Murray says. With all its benefits, not
being in a classroom presents its difficulties. "Teaching on site is a
totally different experience," Murray says. "It's exciting but it's also
frankly quite challenging."
Murray says he will have to change the way he teaches. Introduction to
art history generally is taught chronologically and systematically.
"But the real world doesn't order itself in a systematic, chronological
way," Murray says. "It's all mixed together."
Initially, only 12 slots were available but that was expanded to 16
after receiving so many applications. Still, not everyone was able to
go. The first priority was given to students such as juniors and seniors
who might not have another opportunity to go, Murray said.
Murray says he hopes the class will be offered every other year.
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